▼ This medicine is subject to additional monitoring. This will allow quick identification of new safety information. You can help by reporting any side effects you may get. You can report side effects to your doctor, or directly at www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems.
MenQuadfi®
Active ingredient(s): Meningococcal Polysaccharides Groups A, C, Y and W-135
Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)
This leaflet provides important information about using MenQuadfi. You should also speak to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you would like further information or if you have any concerns or questions about using MenQuadfi.
This vaccine can be given to adults and children so you may be reading this leaflet for you or for your child.
Where to find information in this leaflet:
1. Why am I using MenQuadfi
2. What should I know before I use MenQuadfi?
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
4. How do I use MenQuadfi?
5. What should I know while using MenQuadfi?
6. Are there any side effects?
7. Product details
1. Why am I using MenQuadfi
MenQuadfi contains the active ingredients meningococcal polysaccharide groups A, C, W and Y.
MenQuadfi is a vaccine. It is used to help protect you or your child against infections caused by a bacteria (germs) called “Neisseria meningitides” types A, C, W and Y.
Neisseria meningitidis is passed from person to person and can cause meningitis, an inflammation of the tissues that surround the brain and spinal cord, or septicaemia, an infection of the blood. Both can result in serious disease with lasting effects and possibly death.
MenQuadfi can be given to children (12 months of age and above), adolescents, adults and the elderly.
MenQuadfi stimulates the body’s natural defenses (immune system), to produce its own protection (antibodies) against the bacteria (“Neisseria meningitidis” types A, C, W and Y) that may cause the meningococcal disease. However, as with all vaccines, 100% protection cannot be guaranteed.
MenQuadfi will not prevent meningitis (an infection of the brain and spinal cord coverings) caused by other groups of Neisseria meningitidis.
2. What should I know before I use MenQuadfi?
Warnings
Do not use MenQuadfi:
- if you are allergic to the active ingredients or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet. Symptoms of allergic reaction may include rash, itching, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath or swelling of the face, lips, throat, or tongue. If you are not sure if you are allergic, talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before you receive MenQuadfi.
Always check the ingredients to make sure you can receive this vaccine.
Tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you have:
- a disease weakening your body’s natural defences (immune system). Your response to vaccines may not be optimal.
- ever fainted from an injection., Fainting sometimes with falling, can occur (mostly in adolescents and young children) during, following, or even before, any injection with a needle.
After vaccination, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information under Section 6. Are there any side effects?
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, plan to become pregnant or are breast-feeding, you must tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist, before receiving MenQuadfi.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Some medicines may interfere with MenQuadfi and may affect how it works. Tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if
- You are taking, have recently taken or might take any other vaccines or medicines, including any medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
- You have been treated with medicines that may affect your body’s natural defenses (immune system) such as high-dose corticosteroids or chemotherapy. Your response to vaccines may not be optimal.
For age appropriate situations, MenQuadfi can be given at a separate injection site during the same visit with other vaccines. Your doctor will advise you if MenQuadfi is to be given at the same time as another vaccine.
Check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins or supplements you are taking and if these affect MenQuadfi.
4. How do I use MenQuadfi?
How much to use
MenQuadfi is given by your doctor, nurse or pharmacist as a 0.5 mL injection in the muscle in the upper arm or in the thigh depending on your age and muscle mass.
5. What should I know after using MenQuadfi?
Things you should do
Call your doctor straight away if you:
Notice signs of allergic reaction which include rash, itching, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath or swelling of the face, lips, throat or tongue.
Driving or using machines
MenQuadfi is not likely to affect your ability to drive or use machines. However, do not drive or use any machines if you are feeling unwell.
Looking after your medicine
MenQuadfi is usually stored in the doctor’s surgery or clinic, or at the pharmacy. However, if you need to store MenQuadfi:
- keep it where young children cannot reach it.
- keep MenQuadfi in the original pack until it is time for it to be given.
- keep it in the refrigerator, store at 2°C to 8°C. Do not freeze MenQuadfi.
Do not use MenQuadfi after the expiry date which is stated on the carton after EXP.
Do not use MenQuadfi if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
Getting rid of unwanted Medicine
Medicines including vaccines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.
6. Are there any side effects?
All medicines including vaccines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.
See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you have any further questions about side effects.
Less serious side effects
| Less serious side effects | What to do |
|
In children 12 – 23 months of age
In persons 2 years of age and older
|
Speak to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects and they worry you. |
Serious side effects
| Serious side effects | What to do |
Allergic reaction-related:
|
Call your doctor straight away or go straight to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital if you notice any of these serious side effects. |
Tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.
Reporting side effects
After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
7. Product details
This vaccine is only available with a doctor’s prescription.
What MenQuadfi contains
| Active ingredients (main ingredients) |
10 micrograms of each meningococcal polysaccharide groups A, C, Y and W-135 joined to approximately 55 micrograms of tetanus toxoid |
| Other ingredients (inactive ingredients) |
Sodium chloride, sodium acetate and water for injections |
Do not use this vaccine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.
What MenQuadfi looks like
MenQuadfi is a clear, colourless solution for injection.
MenQuadfi is available in packs of 1 or 5 single dose (0.5 mL) vials. Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
AUST R 325682
Who distributes MenQuadfi
Name and Address of Australian sponsor
Sanofi-Aventis Australia pty ltd
12-24 Talavera Road
Macquarie Park NSW 2113
Telephone: 1800 818 806
Name and Address of New Zealand sponsor
sanofi-aventis new zealand pty ltd
Level 8
56 Cawley St Ellerslie
Auckland New Zealand
Tel: 0800 283 684
This leaflet was prepared in May 2022.
menq-ccdsv4-cmiv2-19may22
